Upland bird enclosure with controlled egress

Abstract

An automated protective enclosure for upland game birds is disclosed, where the enclosure includes a unidirectional entry and a mechanical exit that is selective controlled by a controller. By allowing the birds to enter the enclosure and be selectively released based on time or other criteria, the birds can be protected during vulnerable times, therefore increasing their chances for survival while allowing them to acclimate to the wild. Additional optional features for the enclosure include an electronic call for attracting the birds, food and water dispensers with sensors for detecting low-levels, an entry sensor for detecting birds entering the enclosure, temperature sensing and adjusting devices, and a camera for capturing images of birds or other animals entering or proximate the enclosure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated protective enclosure for birds, comprising:
 a unidirectional entry to an interior of the protective enclosure, the unidirectional entry configured to allow the birds to enter the interior of the protective enclosure, the unidirectional entry configured to prevent egress of the birds from the interior of the protective structure;   a mechanical exit from the interior of the protective structure, the mechanical exit having a first state in which egress from the interior of the protective structure by the birds is prevented, the mechanical exit having a second state in which egress from the interior of the protective structure by the birds is permitted; and   a controller coupled to the mechanical exit, wherein the controller is configured to selectively actuate the mechanical exit between the first state and the second state.   
     
     
         2 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the unidirectional entry is located within a lower portion of the enclosure to allow upland bird entry and the mechanical exit is located on an upper portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The protective enclosure of  claim 2 , further comprising a perch proximate to the mechanical exit, wherein the mechanical exit is sized to allow a plurality of birds to egress the enclosure together. 
     
     
         4 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising a timer, wherein the controller is configured to selectively actuate the mechanical exit based on time information provided by the timer. 
     
     
         5 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic call, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the electronic call to facilitate ingress of the birds through the unidirectional entry. 
     
     
         6 . The protective enclosure of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to selectively actuate the mechanical exit from the first state to the second state at a time based on when the electronic call has been most-recently activated. 
     
     
         7 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein a time at which the controller actuates the mechanical exit is programmable. 
     
     
         8 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising a dispenser having a sensor configured to detect a threshold dispenser level, wherein the dispenser is configured to dispense at least one of food and water. 
     
     
         9 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising an entry sensor configured to detect entry of a bird through the unidirectional entry. 
     
     
         10 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a solar panel and a wind generator to provide power to the protective enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein a floor section of the enclosure is elevated and includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is separated from the second layer by a distance sufficient to prevent predators from grasping birds in the interior of the protective enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a communications link configured for at least one of data receipt and data transmission. 
     
     
         13 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor for sensing temperature; and   at least one of a heat source and a cooling device, the at least one of a heat source and a cooling device configured to be activated based on a temperature threshold.   
     
     
         14 . The protective enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising a camera. 
     
     
         15 . An automated protective enclosure for birds, comprising:
 a unidirectional entry to an interior of the protective enclosure, the unidirectional entry configured to allow the birds to enter the interior of the protective enclosure, the unidirectional entry configured to prevent egress of the birds from the interior of the protective structure;   a mechanical exit from the interior of the protective structure, the mechanical exit having a first state in which egress from the interior of the protective structure by the birds is prevented, the mechanical exit having a second state in which egress from the interior of the protective structure by the birds is permitted;   a controller coupled to the mechanical exit, wherein the controller is configured to selectively actuate the mechanical exit between the first state and the second state;   an electronic call coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the electronic call to facilitate ingress of the birds through the unidirectional entry.   a battery coupled to the mechanical exit, the controller, and the electronic call; and   a solar panel coupled to the battery.   
     
     
         16 . The protective enclosure of  claim 15 , wherein the mechanical exit further comprises:
 a panel; and   an actuator coupled to the panel, the battery, and the controller, wherein the actuator extends a first side of the panel away from a side of the enclosure to move the mechanical exit to the second state.   
     
     
         17 . An automated protective enclosure for birds, comprising:
 a unidirectional entry to an interior of the protective enclosure, the unidirectional entry configured to allow the birds to enter the interior of the protective enclosure, the unidirectional entry configured to prevent egress of the birds from the interior of the protective structure;   an electronic call, wherein the electronic call is configured to facilitate ingress of the birds through the unidirectional entry when activated; and   a controller coupled to the electronic call, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the electronic call.   
     
     
         18 . The enclosure of  claim 17 , wherein a time at which the electronic call is activated is programmable. 
     
     
         19 . The enclosure of  claim 17 , wherein the electronic call supports a plurality of calls, and wherein which call of the plurality of calls is selected for use during activation of the electronic call is selectable or programmable. 
     
     
         20 . The enclosure of  claim 17 , wherein the controller includes a timer and at least one register that stores an indication of a call to be issued by the electronic call, wherein the controller activates the electronic call based on the timer and the at least one register.